“There was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour…” (Rev. 8:1 NLT).

“Silence!” A word we are not very familiar with in our noise saturated society. Yet, in the heavenly realm-where worship is the continual heartbeat of the thick atmosphere around the throne-there is a stunning silence.

What would cause millions of angels, the 24 elders, the living beings, and multitudes from every tribe and nation to cease shouting and singing praise to the Father and Son? Simply put-PRAYER!

Revelation chapter 8 presents an amazing picture! How is it that the prayers of God’s children cause heaven to go silent? The thought of this leaves me speechless!

“Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great quantity of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people, to be offered on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. (Rev. 8:3-4 NLT).

Our Father hushes the worship in heaven to hear you! This passage encouraged my heart as I have been studying the language of heaven the last few weeks. To be honest sometimes I feel like my prayers get hijacked on the way to heaven and never grab the heart of my Father. But this passage states differently.

My finite mind cannot even begin to comprehend the scene in Revelation 8. How can it be that all the prayers of God’s children are laid before Him as beautiful incense AND these prayers link with God’s heart to unfold history. As I read through the book of Revelation the history is spelled out is VICTORY for all who are His.

Even though unanswered prayers may perplex me the silence of heaven gives me hope that my Father hears. In some miraculous way our prayers are blended together and offered on the “gold altar” with the end result a victorious purpose.

Even when it may feel that God’s answer to our prayers are slow in coming and perhaps no one is hearing the cry of your heart or my heart, remember your Father loves you so much! He even silences heaven to hear you His precious child.

The Journey to the Father’s Heart – Book & Study Journal

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